ATLANTA — Drury University has been one of the hottest teams in college basketball. The Panthers have won 22 consecutive games and stand on the doorstep of their first NCAA Division II title.

Not bad for a team that didn’t even make the tournament in 2012.

It’s special to play for a national title. To be able to do it in the Final Four city as part of the 75 years of March Madness adds to the experience.

“This is a great feeling,” senior All-America guard Alex Hall said. “That’s what we worked hard for all year since Day One. And it’s just a dream come true. That’s the only way you can put it.”

Hall has been the key to putting the Panthers in this position. He is pouring in 20.3 points per outing and has dropped 30 or more on an opponent eight times, including a 35-point effort in a 107-97 win over defending national champion Western Washington on March 30 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky.

So what does he have in store next?

“I’m just going to stick to our game plan and come out like we do every game,” Hall said. “And that’s with effort.”

They will be up against a Metro State team that has prided itself on defense while also playing up-tempo on the offensive end of the floor. The Roadrunners allow 62.9 points and held top-ranked West Liberty to 76 points last week in an 83-76 national semifinal win. West Liberty averaged 103.6 points.

Metro State coach Derrick Clark expects quite a battle for the title.

“Two great teams will be going at it, and something has to give,” he said. “Either the streak goes to 23, or we are going to stop it.”

Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had butterflies before Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. It wasn't because of the big-name opponent, but rather his return from a 13-game injury absence and being stoked to rejoin a team in a playoff push and looking for its third postseason appearance in 10 years.